§ Mr. MaclennanTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what assessment he has made of whether the designation of sites of special scientific interest is the best option for the protection of extensive envirionmentally sensitive areas in Caithness and Sutherland; and if he will make a statement.
§ Lord James Douglas-Hamilton[holding answer 3 March 1992]: The system for notifying sites of special scientific interest is vital for the continuing protection of environmentally sensitive areas in Scotland. In response to concerns that other forms of protection might be more appropriate for large areas of land a provision was included in the Natural Heritage (Scotland) Act 1991 for the designation of Natural Heritage areas. Such designations will allow the adoption of land use policies and practices which recognise the interdependence of the economic, social and environmental well-being of communities.
§ Mr. MaclennanTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has received from the Nature Conservancy Council for Scotland about alternative mechanisms for the protection of large environmentally sensitive areas in Caithness and Sutherland; and if he will make a statement.
§ Lord James Douglas-Hamilton[holding answer 3 March 1992]: None. The Natural Heritage (Scotland) Act 1991 provides that my right hon. Friend may designate Natural Heritage areas on recommendations from Scottish Natural Heritage, the successor body to the Nature Conservancy Council for Scotland, which assumes office on 1 April 1992.
In addition the proposed land use and development strategy for Caithness and Sutherland to which I referred in my reply to the hon. Member on 29 January 1992 at column 624 should, once formulated and agreed, strengthen the protection given to important areas of nature conservation interest by reducing the potential for conflict in these areas.